Battling the Bird People
As many of you cartoonatix already know, Max Fleischer completed only nine Superman films before he lost his Miami studio — the guy had to sit back and watch as Paramount snatched his crew and set up shop back in New York. Eight more post-Fleischer shorts were produced before the Super series was shut down in 1943. Although none of the Superman cartoons was anything less than terrific, the later shorts are, overall, a bit talkier, a little slower paced and generally less frantic. But in the right hands, this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Today’s installment, “Underground World” is not only one of the best Paramount/Famous episodes, it’s one of the very best Superman cartoons period. The picture is about 80 percent suspenseful build-up, and 20 percent crazy action finale. Seymour Kneitel directed, relying heavily on the gorgeous background work to tell the story of a strange expedition underneath the North woods. Radio vets Joan Alexander and Bud Collyer are back voicing Lois and Clark/Superman (this was apparently Collyer’s last performance in the series.) Anyone who has read the great new book “Superman: Sunday Classics 1939-1943″ will recognize the plot here as a loose adaptation of one of the very first story arcs from the Superman comic strip. They even stole the kicker gag!
“Strictly Super Week” wraps up tomorrow. ReFrederator continues to fight for truth, justice and the American way!
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On June 29th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Yeah, Paramount seems to have a long history of screwing over cartoonists, between this, Ren and Stimpy, The Angry Beavers, and Invader Zim. I’m surprised that Frederator has worked so closely with the company… you guys must have knife-proof backs!